Road rage leads Candia man in court

Todd Goodman is being charged with reckless operation and conduct after an accident, after a road rage incident in Candia he failed to report. (Courtesy of the Candia Police Department)

A Candia man's temper on the road has landed him in court for reckless driving after he allegedly committed a hit-and-run against a woman whose languid driving sapped his patience.

According to the police affidavit, Todd Goodman, 46 of Candia, was driving behind Deborah Deslongchamps on Merrill Road in Candia in the evening of Nov. 6 when he became frustrated, believing she was driving too slowly and braking too frequently. Losing his patience, he made an attempt to pass Deslongchamps on the left, despite the fact that there were no legal passing zones on Merrill Rd.

As he was completing the pass, Goodman pulled back into the lane prematurely, scraping the front of Deslongchamps' vehicle with his rear bumper and back-right tire. No one was hurt as a result of the incident, and the cars both remained on the road.

According to the affidavit, however, Goodman made no attempt to stop or contact police. He later acknowledged to Candia police that he had a cell phone on him at the time.

As Goodman continued to drive after the incident, Deslongchamps took down his license place number and called Candia police around 7:00 p.m. A registration check identified Goodman's Jeep Wrangler.

Candia Police Officer Daniel Gray later visited Goodman's residence and found the Jeep in the garage, having sustained damage consistent with the accident. During the interview, Goodman freely acknowledged the incident and his failure to report it. Gray notes in the affidavit, 'when I first arrived at the home he was even puzzled as to why I was there.'

Goodman has been charged with conduct after an accident (hit-and-run), reckless operation, and unlawful passing on the left. A first offense for reckless operation can impose a minimum $500 fine and a 60-day license suspension. As no one was injured, the hit-and-run charge is a misdemeanor. Conduct after an accident charges in which the victim is killed or injured are Class B felonies.

Goodman was released on $750 personal recognizance bail on Nov. 13. He will appear before the 10th Circuit District Division Court in Candia on the morning of December 5.

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